Barbers are covered too: the award's industry definition includes shaving and beard trimming (cl 4.2(b)).
Which award covers hairdressers
Hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians and salon staff working in hair and beauty salons are covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 [MA000005].
A hairdresser who holds a Certificate III in Hairdressing (or equivalent) is Hair and beauty employee level 3. A hairdresser with a Certificate IV is level 5. Salon assistants and receptionists are level 1 (Schedule A).
The award also sets a rate for a full-time hairdressing graduate in their first 12 months: 92.5% of the standard rate — $27.24 an hour, $1,035.17 a week (cl 18.6, Table 12). After those 12 months the full level 3 rate applies.
Juniors are paid 50% of the adult rate under 17 and 75% at 17; from 18 the full adult rate applies (cl 17.2).
Read the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 [MA000005] on the Fair Work Commission’s site (consolidated to 1 July 2026), or see every classification on our MA000005 award rates page.
Hairdresser award pay rates 2026–27
These rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rates for the hours they work.
Hairdresser and salon pay rates by level, 2026–27
Hair and Beauty Industry Award cl 17.1, Table 4, from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The casual column is the rate for ordinary hours between 7 am and 9 pm Monday to Friday (cl 11.2).
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38 hrs) | Annual | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1Receptionist or salon assistant | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $54,954 | $34.76 |
| Level 2Make-up artist or nail technician (Cert II), unqualified beautician | $28.45 | $1,081.00 | $56,212 | $35.56 |
| Level 3Hairdresser with Certificate III in Hairdressing; beautician (Cert III) | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $36.81 |
| Level 4Beauty therapist with Certificate IV | $30.00 | $1,139.90 | $59,275 | $37.50 |
| Level 5Hairdresser with Certificate IV; trichologist | $30.89 | $1,174.00 | $61,048 | $38.61 |
| Level 6Beauty therapist with a Diploma | $32.00 | $1,215.90 | $63,227 | $40.00 |
Annual is the weekly rate × 52, before tax and before superannuation. Casual hourly includes the 25% casual loading.
Hairdressing graduate rate — first 12 months
Clause 18.6, Table 12: 92.5% of the standard rate for a full-time graduate. The award sets this rate for full-time graduates only, so no casual figure is shown.
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38 hrs) | Annual | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressing graduate — first 12 months | $27.24 | $1,035.17 | $53,829 | — |
Annual is the weekly rate × 52, before tax and before superannuation. A dash means the award sets no casual rate for that classification.
Hairdresser penalty rates and overtime
| When you work | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday, 7 am to 9 pm | 100% | 125% |
| Monday–Friday, before 7 am or after 9 pm | Overtime (outside span) | 150% |
| Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm | 133% | 158% |
| Saturday, before 7 am or after 6 pm | Overtime (outside span) | 150% |
| Sunday | 200% (10 am to 5 pm) | 225% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 250% |
Full-time and part-time rates are cl 23.1, Table 14; casual rates are cl 23.2, Table 15, and are percentages of the minimum hourly rate. The casual Saturday (7 am–6 pm) and Sunday rates include the casual loading; the casual public holiday rate is 250%, the same as for permanent staff. A rostered day off worked by agreement is paid at 200%.
Overtime
- Full-time and part-time: 150% for the first 3 hours Monday to Saturday, then 200%; Sunday 200%; public holiday 250% (cl 22.5).
- Casual: 175% for the first 3 hours Monday to Saturday, then 225%; Sunday 225%; public holiday 250%.
Work out a shift with penalties or overtime using the overtime pay calculator.
Allowances
| Allowance | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Tool allowance | $10.52 per week | If the employer requires you to provide and use your own tools, including scissors (cl 20.8(a)). |
| Manager's allowance | $55.96 per week | For a week in charge of a hair or beauty establishment (cl 20.2). |
| First aid allowance | $14.55 per week | If you hold a current first aid qualification and are appointed to perform first aid duty (cl 20.3). |
| Meal allowance | $24.72 | Full-time and part-time staff working overtime in the circumstances in cl 20.5(a); a further $24.72 if the overtime exceeds 4 hours. |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.00 per km | If asked to use your own vehicle for work (cl 20.6). |
Hairdresser pay after tax
On the Level 3 rate of $1,119.10 a week, a full-time hairdresser earns $58,193 a year before tax.
| Gross annual pay | $58,193 |
|---|---|
| Income tax (after LITO) | −$7,851 |
| Medicare levy | −$1,164 |
| Take-home per year | $49,178 |
| Take-home per week | $946 |
2026–27 resident tax rates with the low income tax offset and the 2% Medicare levy; no HECS-HELP repayment and no Medicare levy surcharge. Superannuation is paid on top by your employer. For the full breakdown see take-home pay on $60,000 (the nearest step to $58,193), or put in your own hours with the weekly pay calculator.
What hairdressers actually earn
Jobs and Skills Australia puts median full-time earnings for Hairdressers (ANZSCO 3911) at $1,209 a week ($32 an hour), against $1,852 a week for all occupations.
Median weekly pay of full-time, non-managerial adult employees before tax and salary sacrifice, from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) as published by Jobs and Skills Australia. It reflects what employers actually pay, including people on enterprise agreements or above-award salaries, so it is a market figure, not a legal minimum.
What this page does not show
- Hairdressing apprentice rates (cl 18.1, Tables 6 and 7) and trainee rates.
- Beauty therapy graduate and apprentice rates.
Hairdresser pay questions
Pay rates for other jobs
How this page is sourced▼
Every minimum rate was read from the Fair Work Commission's consolidated text of the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020, consolidated to 1 July 2026, on 23 September 2026. Casual rates are the award's own published figures wherever it publishes them. Nothing is estimated.
The median comes from Jobs and Skills Australia’s occupation profile and is a market figure, not an entitlement. Take-home figures use the same tax engine as the rest of this site. Award rates change every 1 July, so re-check after the next Annual Wage Review.
Sources & References
- 1Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 [MA000005] — consolidated to 1 July 2026— Fair Work Commission
- 2Pay Guide — Hair and Beauty Industry Award [MA000005], published 24 June 2026— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Pay guides for modern awards— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 4Annual Wage Review 2025–26 decision [2026] FWCFB 3500— Fair Work Commission
- 5Hairdressers (ANZSCO 3911) occupation profile — ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025— Jobs and Skills Australia
Last verified: 23 September 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
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AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
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Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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